This year I am running the Great North Run again in memory of a good friend, James. In November last year James passed away following struggle battle with Cistic Fibrosis. Cistic Fibrosis is a life shortening disease which results in various organs, mostly lungs and digestive organs, becoming clogged with mucus. As a result infections which to non-sufferers would be easily treatable, often mean hospitalisation for CF patients. For almost as long as I knew James he was continually in and out of hospital with infections and breathing difficulties. Currently there is no cure for CF, with charitable donations the Cistic Fibrosis Trust continues to improve the quality of life of patients but what they really need is money to conduct more research so that hopefully in the not too distant future we can find a cure. 

James was not the sort of person that should have been confined to a hospital bed. He loved life and lived his to the max! He loved to laugh and to make others laugh, and it was his love of life that made him such a great friend. When he was told that he would in, have a number of years to live he said it felt like a weight had been lifted fron his shoulders because he could get on and do all the things he wanted to do with his life, instead of worrying about the future. He wasn't an inspiration because of his CF, he just was a gem of a guy because that's who he was. James gave me so many laugh. And good memories. I want to try and help others in memory of him. 

I'm lucky, I have my health. So please give as little or as much as you can and wish me luck on 15th Sept! 

love

Vanessa x